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Mercury blown out by Lynx to open WNBA semifinals
- Updated: September 29, 2016
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Maya Moore scored 31 points, including 15 in the second quarter, as the Minnesota Lynx opened their WNBA title defense with a 113-95 win over the Phoenix Mercury in the first game of the WNBA semifinals on Wednesday night.
Lindsay Whalen added 19 points and seven assists for top-seed Minnesota, which has beat Phoenix in all four meetings this season. Center Sylvia Fowles scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Lynx broke the WNBA record for points in a regulation playoff game.
Diana Taurasi scored 25 points for the Mercury, who won the matchup between the two teams in 2014 on the way to their own championship. Brittney Griner added 16 points for Phoenix but was held to just two rebounds.
Playing for the first time in 11 days in the WNBA’s new playoff format, Minnesota started a bit slow as the Mercury led 14-8 early with Taurasi hitting a pair of 3-pointers.
The Lynx went to their bench with Moore, Whalen and Seimone Augustus taking their first rest. The bench combined with Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson to spark a 12-3 run. Moore, Whalen and Augustus were the centerpieces as Minnesota took …
